Thinking Ape’s GmbH have just announced NodeJoe in the Autodesk ACAP program. NodeJoe is a replacement material editor for 3DS Max that offers many new features, yet is completely compatible with 3Ds Max.
Each material, shader and map is represented as a ‘node’ – with input and output connections that can be linked in an infinite number of ways. Users can create these connections between different maps, shaders and materials simply by dragging connection lines between them in the Nodeview. NodeJoe is also intelligent enough to know when a connection can be made, and will let the user know if they try to connect two nodes in a way that is illegal. Once a material has been crafted, applying it could not be easier; straightforward drag-and-drop onto your geometry, into a light or anywhere else a standard material can live inside of 3ds Max™.
